Multi-million-pound canal project set to start
The canal is set to start work on a massive project to reconnect Welshpool to the national waterways, and has received £14 million from the UK Government’s Levelling Up.
Work is set to start imminently to dredge south from Llanymynech, which the Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust says is essential to ensure the supply of water for boats and for wildlife.
They say that the “carefully tailored dredging programme” will be phased over the next two years to overcome the natural succession of species by which invasive species have reduced biodiversity and impacted some of the canal’s rare plants.
The project was criticised in an open letter by local wildlife specialists last week who claim that the use of propellers and oil films left by motors would destroy the plant life. They have even questioned the economic benefits being touted by the project, claiming that canal boat passengers “don’t need overnight accommodation and at best buy a few pints in the pubs”.
They even called for the boats to be towed by horses to offer something different for the tourists.
But with the new work set to commence, the Trust’s Chairman, Michael Limbrey, has countered with claims that wildlife conservation will be at the heart of their efforts.
“Restoring a canal which is also a Special Area of Conservation is nothing new,” he said.
“Over 20 years ago, the Rochdale Canal was restored and recent evidence shows the rare water plants are thriving now the canal is used and cared for and no longer derelict.
“While that Rochdale Canal restoration was under way we developed a Conservation Management Strategy for the Montgomery Canal. This involved detailed discussions with all interested parties, including of course the Shropshire and Montgomeryshire Wildlife Trusts and the predecessors of Natural Resources Wales and Natural England.
“The Strategy integrates nature conservation at the heart of the restoration which is designed to bring environmental, social and economic value of the restoration. The new expert-designed Welsh nature reserves will benefit from the experience of earlier reserves with a flow of water from canal and extensive open waterspace.
“They will match the canalside reserves in Shropshire where special canal species are conserved with help from Shropshire Wildlife Trust. Overall, the investment in these reserves alone runs into millions of pounds.
“The Strategy with its vision of a canal open to boats, safeguarding its natural and built heritage, and real social and economic benefits for local communities, was launched to general acclaim at the Senedd and the House of Commons.
“Since then, substantial public grants and private donations have been committed to restoration projects and volunteers from across the country have provided thousands of hours of work to bring about that vision.”
Mr Limbrey highlighted similar projects that he said have enhanced wildlife and conservation and believes the tourist pound will be pumped into the Welshpool area.
“The great thing about boating visitors is that they cannot just drive off to other attractions but spend their time along the canal to the advantage of local shops, pubs and other businesses,” he said.
“The Montgomery Canal in Shropshire already welcomes boating visitors from Britain and from countries round the world, and we know more want to come. The canal too welcomes many other visitors from the local area and further afield, some using the Welsh border towpath route from Llangollen to Newtown.
“Walkers of course will benefit from new bridges being constructed with the current funding and will welcome being able to cross safely under the busy A483 when those crossings are reinstated.
“Anyone visiting the canal will be able to visit its nature reserves – the new ones and those that are flourishing now – and interpretation and viewing facilities like those in Shropshire will ensure they get the most benefit from their visit.
“Restoring the Montgomery Canal really is a project for everyone. The revived canal will bring recreation and well-being for local communities and their visitors and will protect and enhance the canal’s valuable built and natural heritage.”
The Montgomery Waterway Restoration Trust urges people to participate in a short survey about the canal for Powys County Council. The surveys take a few minutes to complete online and can be found at:
- Community Survey of the Canal (for those living nearby): www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CanalResidentsEng
- Visitor survey of the Canal: www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/CanalVisitorsEng
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